Physical Therapist Assistants vs Nurses salary

As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Physical Therapist Assistants earn an average of $60,740 per year, while Nurses earn an average of $82,750 per year. Therefore, the salary for Nurses is much higher than that of Physical Therapist Assistants.

However, it's worth mentioning that wages can vary depending on factors like location, experience, and the specific setting in which the employee works. As an example, Physical Therapist Assistants who work in California (with salary averaging $73,150) may earn more than those who work in Idaho ($46,860). And Nurses in California earn 105% more on average compared to those in South Dakota.

Physical Therapist Assistants vs Nurses overview

Physical Therapist Assistants and Nurses are two important occupations in the Health Care Services industry. There is a general interest in understanding the differences between these job titles, including the average salary for each of them.

Physical Therapist Assistant job description

Physical Therapist Assistants assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

Physical Therapist Assistant education and experience

To become a Physical Therapist Assistant, an individual usually must obtain an Associate's Degree. But this field also includes some employees who have a Bachelor's Degree (15%). With regard to experience, 37% of Physical Therapist Assistant occupations do not require any previous experience. A smaller portion of roles (25%) require a previous experience of 6 months to 1 year.

Physical Therapist Assistant average salary

Based on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 93,660 Physical Therapist Assistants were employed by the United States in 2021, and their average annual wage was $60,740. The lowest earning 10 percent made $37,280 or less, and the highest earning 10 percent made $80,170 or more per year. Compared to the previous year, the mean salary has increased by 2.2%.

Do Physical Therapist Assistants make good money?

The mean salary of Physical Therapist Assistants is similar to the average pay in the United States ($58,260). Furthermore, it is similar to the mean salary of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).

The mean salary of Physical Therapist Assistants is similar to the average pay in the United States ($58,260).

Nurse job description

Alternative names: Registered Nurses, RN

Nurses assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required. Includes Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Nurse education and experience

The majority of Nurses (56%) have obtained a Bachelor's Degree. However this occupation also includes some employees who have a Post-Secondary Certificate (23%) and an Associate's Degree (19%). When it comes to experience, about a third of Nurse jobs require a 1 to 2 years of work-related experience. A smaller percentage of jobs (19%) do not require any previous experience.

Nurse average salary

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Nurses employed by the United States in 2021 was 3.05M, and their average annual salary was $82,750. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $59,450 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $120,250 or more. The average salary has increased by 3.4% compared the previous year.

Do Nurses make good money?

Nurses are usually paid well, as their average salary is 42% higher than the average wage in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they earn 15% more than the average wage of the Hospitals industry ($72,260).

Nurses are usually paid well, as their average salary is 42% higher than the average wage in the United States ($58,260).

Nurses job growth

Nurses have seen growth in employment over the past two years. In 2021, there have been 61,030 more positions than the previous year nationwide, which marks a rise of 2%. Over the past 3 years, job growth has averaged 1.1%.

FAQ

Do Physical Therapist Assistants or Nurses make more?

The average earnings of Nurses are 36% higher than those of Physical Therapist Assistants. The average annual salary for Physical Therapist Assistants is $60,740, compared to $82,750 for Nurses.

How long does it take to become a Physical Therapist Assistant vs Nurse?

Physical Therapist Assistants generally need an Associate's Degree. An Associate's Degree most often takes around 2 years to complete. On the other hand, Nurses generally need a Bachelor's Degree. A Bachelor's Degree most often takes around 4 years to complete.

Is it harder to become a Physical Therapist Assistant vs Nurse?

Becoming a Nurse is considerably harder than becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant, since an additional 2 years of education are necessary.

Related Job Comparisons